Bruins Nation - Oregon 2013 Prep: Bruins Get Ready for Ducks, Practice Updates & NotesBlog Of The Bruins, By The Bruins, For The Bruinshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48017/bruinsnation_f.png2013-10-26T05:56:43-07:00http://www.bruinsnation.com/rss/stream/46291412013-10-26T05:56:43-07:002013-10-26T05:56:43-07:00Bruin Bites: Game Day Notes and CFB Open Thread
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<img alt="Some of this week's media spotlight is spilling over onto Anthony Barr" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BW5X39OVqIe72PVd7IhpE5E8q90=/2440x559:4000x1599/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21789585/157250831.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Some of this week's media spotlight is spilling over onto Anthony Barr | Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>Most of the media hype around the Bruiniverse lately has focused on the Oregon's high powered offense, their Heisman front runner QB Marcus Mariota, and the difficulties the Bruins face on defense and along the offensive line. </p> <p>Big game, part 2.</p>
<p>The Bruins will travel to Eugene today to meet the mighty <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks">Oregon Ducks</a> this afternoon in Autzen Stadium. With College Game Day making the trip west, all the nation's eyes will be on Heisman frontrunner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136013/marcus-mariota">Marcus Mariota</a> and the reportedly unstoppable Oregon offense. Kickoff will be at 4pm Pacific, so we have some time today to get ready for this afternoon's main event. The schedule for today's college football games and where they will be televised can be seen <a href="http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/college-football/schedule">here</a>. We will use this for our morning open thread until our game thread goes up about 15 minutes before kickoff.</p>
<p>So in the meantime, let's take a look around the UCLA-iverse to see what people are saying about Bruin Football.</p>
<ul>
<li>One benefit of being in Oregon's spotlight today is that some of our Bruin stars will get a chance to shine on a national stage, as well. <a href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/79863/whos-that-guy-ucla-linebacker-anthony-barr">Holly Anderson at Grantland</a> focuses her <a href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/79863/whos-that-guy-ucla-linebacker-anthony-barr">Who's That Guy</a> segment on Anthony Barr this week, and describes his game with this nugget, "Anthony Barr's superpower is transforming on the field from a human into a bull and making a china shop appear everywhere he goes." Not bad. Even better, her article closes with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv3Q2FAqcdw">last season's best highlight</a>, but today is a whole new game.</li>
<li>Barr's freakish speed and athleticism will be put to the test against the freakish speed and athleticism of the entire Oregon offense today, which will get even freakier and athletic-ummm-er with the return of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207607/de-anthony-thomas">De'Anthony Thomas</a>. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000268998/article/oregons-deanthony-thomas-key-to-limiting-anthony-barr">Dan Greenspan of NFL.com</a> looked at the matchup of the two stars and how the Ducks may use Thomas and their other weapons to neutralize Barr by lining up outside and running pass routes his way. While Barr has proven adept at covering slot receivers and backs, keeping him out of the backfield and away from Mariota will give the Oregon QB a lot more security to operate their high tempo offense.</li>
<li>The difficulty of <a href="http://college-football.si.com/2013/10/25/ucla-oregon-marcus-mariota-saturday-storylines/?sct=cf_t11_a1">trying to contain Mariota</a> was the subject of an article by <a href="http://college-football.si.com/2013/10/25/ucla-oregon-marcus-mariota-saturday-storylines/?sct=cf_t11_a1">Zac Ellis for SI's Campus Union</a>, who called Mariota " the most dynamic player in college football" and said he is "putting together a Heisman Trophy-worthy résumé for the unbeaten Ducks". The Bruins' redshirting freshman QB Asiantii Woulard drew the role of to playing Mariota on the scout team this week, but even <a href="http://college-football.si.com/2013/10/25/ucla-oregon-marcus-mariota-saturday-storylines/?sct=cf_t11_a1">Coach Mora admitted</a>," You're never going to be able to find a kid in your scout team to put out there and say, ‘OK, you're Marcus Mariota'."</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20131024/freshman-quessenberry-other-linemen-in-good-hands-with-klemm">other big issue for the Bruins this week</a> is the young offensive line, which will be even younger this week with sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162640/simon-goines">Simon Goines</a> sitting out with a knee sprain and being replaced by true freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208093/scott-quessenberry">Scott Quessenberry</a>. <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20131024/freshman-quessenberry-other-linemen-in-good-hands-with-klemm">Jack Wang at The Daily News wrote</a> about Q trying to fit into "a spot that Mora said was 'without a doubt' the most difficult for first-year players to learn". Wang also <a href="http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20131024/freshman-quessenberry-other-linemen-in-good-hands-with-klemm">discussed the importance of Coach Adrian Klemm</a> and the "unique" relationship he has with his O Line players, noting how he'll tear into the unit at practice and then they'll all have lunch together later in his office.</li>
<li>And speaking of freshmen, <a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/229154901.html?page=2&c=y">Eric Olson of the AP</a> notes we are playing a lot of them. The Bruins and Texas A&M have both played 17 true freshmen so far this season, and Quessenberry's start will make it 18 for UCLA. For many potential recruits, the ability to play early matters. Bruins true freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208113/kenneth-clark">Kenny Clark</a> said<a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/229154901.html?page=2&c=y"> he studied depth charts</a> and wouldn't consider schools where he might have to redshirt. Conversely, he knew he'd have a chance to play on the Bruins revamped defensive line this year. So while the growing pains of the youth movement can be frustrating to us as fans at times, it is a real attraction for some of the top high school athletes.</li>
</ul>
<p>Big game, part 1 didn't go so well for us last Saturday, and now it seems no one is giving us much of a chance today. Not the media, not the Game Day talking heads, and certainly not the Ducks. We're on the road, in the most hostile environment in the Pac, against quite possibly the best team in the country and the likely Heisman winner, with 3 freshmen on our O Line, and our confidence banged up after last week's letdown.</p>
<p>Some would say things look pretty bleak.</p>
<p>Snap back to reality...</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qCNG0JMYuoo" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1382770575593"></p>
<p>I say we got the Ducks right where we want them.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-oregon-bruins-ducks-2013/2013/10/26/5030540/bruin-bites-game-day-notes-and-cfb-open-threadgbruin2013-10-25T12:29:04-07:002013-10-25T12:29:04-07:00WATCH: tWWL Promo. of UCLA-Oregon Game<iframe allowfullscreen="true" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MwMyGDPu8Zc" height="480" width="640"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Not bad.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS.</p></p></div>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/10/25/5029066/watch-twwl-promo-of-ucla-oregon-gameNestor2013-10-24T21:13:13-07:002013-10-24T21:13:13-07:00Spaulding Notes: Mora Raves About Adrian Klemm
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<p>Not much new news coming out of Spaulding today. Here are Mora's comments after practice during which he spent a lot of time talking about the ongoing development (and issues) with UCLA's offensive line and praising OL coach Adrian Klemm:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2PsjsJu8Wg8" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>As <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/10/24/video-jim-mora-talks-uclas-offensive-line/#more-16376">noted by Jack Wang</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>- Though Mora didn't talk about the likelihood of <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/10/23/ucla-offensive-line-likely-to-start-three-true-freshmen/">starting three true freshmen</a> on his line, he said that the position was "without a doubt" the most difficult for a first-year player. A less-than-stellar offensive line is difficult to hide schematically, and freshmen must also account for defenses that can shift right before a snap.</p>
<p>"So many things happen so quickly," Mora said. "You've got big guys right across from you breathing down on you that are trying to get to your quarterback, or disrupt your play."</p>
<p>- Mora also talked about the value of offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who became a fierce college recruiter not long after six-year NFL career with the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. The line was arguably the team's biggest problem area when Mora's staff arrived, and Klemm's ability to work with the young linemen has been instrumental in its rebuild.</p>
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<p>Mora added that Klemm understands the position from the "psyche of an offensive lineman."</p>
<p>Mora also talked about <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136321/jake-brendel">Jake Brendel</a> who has been dealing with snap issues since the Utah game. Mora assured the reporters (I guess us) that Brendel understands the problem and is taking it "seriously" as he realizes how the snap issues can turn into a big deal given that UCLA's no-huddle offense is so dependent on having an established rhythm. He said that Jake will work his way out of it with the help from coaches. Understands the snap issues disrupt the rhythm of our offense.</p>
<p>In terms of injuries Mora reported that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks">Eric Kendricks</a> will be ready for Saturday, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113870/jordon-james">Jordon James</a> despite making progress at practice will most likely not be available against the Ducks.</p>
<p>Speaking of the Ducks, Ted Miller like everyone else on tWWL has <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/64067/what-are-oregons-weaknesses">a fawning piece on the Ducks</a>. Newsflash - <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/64067/what-are-oregons-weaknesses">the Ducks don't really have any weaknesses</a>. So Bruins may as well stay in LA this Saturday and forfeit the upcoming game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>GO BRUINS.</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/24/5027044/spaulding-notes-mora-discusses-development-of-uclas-offensive-lineNestor2013-10-23T12:54:47-07:002013-10-23T12:54:47-07:00Spaulding Roundup: Coordinators Talk Oregon
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<img alt="LB Eric Kendricks will be back for the Bruins this week. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IPzNB0H7Nt4u-Y98XGm7bnjP_ls=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21649459/20131003_kkt_al2_952.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>LB Eric Kendricks will be back for the Bruins this week. | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>OC Noel Mazzone and DC Lou Spanos met with the media after practice to discuss the Bruins and the Ducks. Meanwhile, the defense gets an old face back this week while the OL gets a brand new one. </p> <p>As has become custom on Wednesdays, the Bruins two coordinators met with the media. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone talked mostly about the offensive line, as it appears more and more likely that true freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208093/scott-quessenberry" class="sbn-auto-link">Scott Quessenberry</a> will take off the red shirt and start at left guard, with Xavier Su'a-Filo moving out to left tackle.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>UCLA's starting line could be: LT Xavier Su'a-Filo, LG Scott Quessenberry, C <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136321/jake-brendel" class="sbn-auto-link">Jake Brendel</a>, RG <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/219747/alex-redmond" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Redmond</a>, RT <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208099/caleb-benenoch" class="sbn-auto-link">Caleb Benenoch</a>. 3 true frosh.</p>
— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejackwang/statuses/393049894803353600">October 23, 2013</a>
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<p>This will certainly add a new wrinkle that the Bruins will have to overcome this weekend in Oregon. But <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/10/22/4870084/ucla-bruin-legend-randy-cross-thinks-bruins-can-be-quiet-assassins">as Randy Cross said</a>, no thumb sucking, no excuses. Go play.</p>
<p>Thanks for the video to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6unDea8QCQo">Ed Lewis with Bruins Sports Report and BSRTV</a> via YouTube:</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6unDea8QCQo" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1382551555446"></p>
<p>Mazzone began by noting that Oregon's defense may get underrated because of how prolific their offense is, then pointed out how athletic and fast they are. He feels that schematically the Oregon defense is pretty similar to UCLA which has been helpful this week a practice.</p>
<p>As Mazzone discussed the offensive line, he said he is actually excited about the progress that Caleb Benenoch and Alex Redmond have made on the right side and the steps that Quessenberry has made at left guard. Traveling to Autzen to face one of the top 3 teams in the nation will be a great experience for them to learn about big time college football. He later talked about how Quessenberry is sharp and is picking up things well, but that fundamentally he may be a bit behind the other freshmen simply due to lack of game experience.</p>
<p>The coach didn't feel that the inclusion of the freshmen on the OL would really change the play calling, but then said they might cut down on the volume of plays, focusing on the plays the line could run well and was comfortable with, rather than trying to open the entire playbook. After what we have seen the last few weeks, that may be either a blessing or a curse. While the offense has looked more predictable and far less dynamic than we have seen, it may show a greater tendency to stick with things that work. We will see.</p>
<p>Mazzone added that despite lining up behind the young OL he expects <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38230/brett-hundley" class="sbn-auto-link">Brett Hundley</a> to play a solid game this week. He felt that Brett maybe has been pressing the last couple weeks in an effort to make more things happen, and that Stanford's defense created some additional problems, particularly forcing Brett to throw on the run. I'm not sure that having three true freshmen on the line will increase Brett's sense of security, but if they really do focus on execution as opposed to diversity, that might be of benefit to everyone on the offense this week.</p>
<p>Jack Wang <a href="http://www.tout.com/u/thejackwang">posted a brief clip</a> of XSF talking Quesenberry's development and how he is helping the freshman learn his position at left guard.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.tout.com/embed/touts/m2rk3z" id="tout_embed" frameborder="0" height="388" width="420"></iframe> <br id="1382556915323"></p>
<p>I think it is very interesting that the staff is deciding to burn Q's redshirt this week. I think it speaks to their confidence (or lack of it) in redshirt sophomore <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136322/ben-wysocki" class="sbn-auto-link">Ben Wysocki</a> or in moving backup center <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162637/carl-hulick" class="sbn-auto-link">Carl Hulick</a> over to guard, and also to their continued belief that putting the best player in gives them the best chance to win. If the coaches didn't think they had a shot at this game, it would make no sense to put the freshman in the lineup, so they must feel that this is the best move for the OL.</p>
<p>On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Coach Spanos doesn't have the same personnel issues as Mazzone to worry about. Per <a href="https://twitter.com/thejackwang/status/393015643680681984">Jack Wang's Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric Kendricks</a> took off his red no-contact jersey today and is back to full speed Freshman Isaako Savaiinaea played really well in his absence last weekend but you can't replace a guy like Kendricks. So the Bruins will have their defense ready on Saturday for what will be their toughest challenge so far this season.</p>
<p>Thanks, as always, to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI7py16grkk">Ed Lewis with Bruins Sports Report and BSRTV</a> via YouTube</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wI7py16grkk" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1382554655248"></p>
<p>Spanos called Oregon QB Marcus Mariota "special", complimenting his vision, arm, accuracy, and his ability to keep plays alive, and says the defense will have a challenge this weekend. Everyone talks about Oregon's great speed across all their positions but he added they have a great offensive line up front that makes it possible. He added that the Duck's offense is a real departure from the scheme the Bruins faced last week at Stanford.</p>
<p>The Bruins have played some spread offenses this season, and Spanos felt that it was good experience for the defense but that Oregon has lots of unique features, formations, and weapons that the Bruins will have to focus on specifically for this weekend. One of those features will be <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207607/de-anthony-thomas" class="sbn-auto-link">De'Anthony Thomas</a> who is returning from a right ankle injury that kept him out the last three weeks. Spanos says his defense will have to know where Thomas is on every play, bbut also that Oregon has talent everywhere and the Bruins will need to be prepared for a variety of looks and personnel.</p>
<p>Speaking of Savaiinaea, <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/10/23/ucla-freshman-linebacker-isaako-savaiinaea-trying-to-shed-high-school-habits/">Jack Wang had a nice interview</a> with him after practice. Isaako said his biggest adjustment last week was focusing on his technique and staying low, but he started feeling comfortable after a series in the game.</p>
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<p>Savaiinaea finished the game with 6 tackles and is a very nice addition to the outstanding LB corps.</p>
<p>I think the matchup between our defense and their vaunted offense will be pretty interesting. Our D has played very well lately, and getting EK back in the middle is a big help. But the way Oregon's offense runs doesn't allow for a lot of substitution so the Bruins' depth, particularly on the D line and in the secondary, will be limited somewhat. We do have some great playmakers on D with Barr and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208081/myles-jack" class="sbn-auto-link">Myles Jack</a> so it will be fun to watch them go step for step with the Duck's playmakers on offense.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/10/23/4956780/spaulding-roundup-coordinators-talk-oregon-the-ol-gets-youngergbruin2013-10-23T10:00:09-07:002013-10-23T10:00:09-07:00Keys for a Bruin Win in Eugene
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>Keys for the UCLA Bruins Football team against the Oregon Ducks</p> <p>To move from a pretty good team to one of the top teams in the Pac 12, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> will need to beat Oregon or Stanford. That hasn't happened yet, but the Bruins have another chance on Saturday.</p>
<p>After last week's l<a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-stanford-bruins-cardinal/2013/10/21/4860442/the-eye-test-ucla-toppled-by-the-trees">ess than optimal</a> result, there is some <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/20/4859640/ucla-oregon-bruins-ducks-college-gameday-moral-victory">pessimism </a>here, but overall, the Bruins have been recruiting players that are good enough to beat Oregon. How should the Bruins gameplan for this game?</p>
<p>Let's take a look at Oregon's recent defeats:</p>
<p><b>2012: <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?id=323222483">Stanford 17, Oregon 14</a>. </b>Stanford possessed the ball for 37 minutes, rushed for 200 yards, passed 36 times, turned the ball over 3 times, and was penalized only 5 times. This was a low-scoring game, but <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=323222483">Stanford went for it</a> on 4th an 1. Something our coaches should <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-stanford-bruins-cardinal-2013/2013/10/21/4861058/ucla-stanford-reflections-from-palo-alto-punting-is-winning">keep in mind</a>. Overall, tough defense was the key to Stanford's win.</p>
<p><b>2011: <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312460099">LSU 40, Oregon 27</a>. </b>LSU's excellent defense held Oregon under 100 yards rushing and got a defensive touchdown while forcing Oregon into 4 turnovers. Oregon still put up 27, but this was a win generated by LSU's defense. LSU was penalized only 5 times.</p>
<p><b>2011: <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=313232483">Southern Cal 38, Oregon 35</a>.</b> Southern Cal won it through the air, passing for over 300 yards, what is apparently the only win over Oregon from 2011-2013 where Oregon's opponent passed for over 300. Southern Cal forced two turnovers. It looks like a bit of a shootout, but Southern Cal's defense did hold Oregon under 30, as one of Oregon's scores came on special teams. Southern Cal was penalized 6 times for only 25 yards.</p>
<p><b>2011 (2010-11 National Championship): <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=310102483">Auburn 22, Oregon 19</a>. </b>Auburn didn't score a ton, but racked up over 500 yards of offense, 265 passing and 254 rushing. Auburn scored a safety in this game and held <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37379/darron-thomas" class="sbn-auto-link">Darron Thomas</a> to a 42 QBR and allowed less than 100 yars rushing. Auburn was penalized only 5 times.</p>
<p>What can we learn from this? It might not be too small of a sample size, but here's my best guess.</p>
<p><b>1. Play defense. </b> You're unlikely to win a shootout, so don't get into that mindset. Stopping the run gives you a good chance to win. I wasn't able to find the number of sacks or hurries quickly enough, but that should be a part of the gameplan.</p>
<p><b>2. Be aggressive (but not stupid). </b> You've got to make plays. Force turnovers, go for it on fourth down. Pressure the quarterback, but don't leave the back end or the perimeter vulnerable.</p>
<p><b>3. Be disciplined. </b>Don't shoot yourself in the foot with stupid penalties. This will also be true in terms of keeping contain and staying in the assigned position on defense and running routes properly on offense -- this hurt against Stanford. Get to the line on defense and don't let Oregon snap it before the defense is ready.</p>
<p><b>4. Zone blitzing with disguised coverage.</b> Oregon wants to play fast. Spanos needs to disguise coverages and blitzes, he needs to show blitz and then not bring it. This will need to be practiced at full speed because Oregon doesn't give a defense much time to adjust. Try to confuse the offense.</p>
<p><b>5. Disrupt the offense with offense. </b>Put together methodical sustained drives to keep Oregon's offense on the sidelines. This isn't about conservative playcalling, but it's about putting together sustained drives and conversely, not getting into 3 and out situations. As Bill C explains in this week's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/10/22/4865828/college-football-stats-tennessee-alabama">Numerical</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>three-and-outs are just deadly. All else being equal, teams who go three-and-out six to seven times win only about one-third of the time and lose by an average of about 12 points per game. </span></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/23/4864382/how-can-the-ucla-bruins-football-team-beat-the-oregon-ducksOdysseus2013-10-22T16:46:04-07:002013-10-22T16:46:04-07:00So about those drones we were using at camp...<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4629141">So about those drones we were using at&nbsp;camp...</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Did any of them happen to look like pigeons? ht <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/10/22/4866490/a-pigeon-plots-to-kill-the-oregon-ducks" target="new">SBN</a>.</p></p></div>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/10/22/4892380/so-about-those-drones-we-were-using-at-campTydides2013-10-22T13:22:44-07:002013-10-22T13:22:44-07:00Spaulding Roundup: Looking Ahead to Oregon
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Coach Mora speaks to the media as game preparation shifts to the Oregon Ducks.</p> <p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6Wunm5w6v5o" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>Thanks as always to Edward Leis and the <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1565020" target="_blank">BruinSportsReport for the video</a>.</p>
<p>Coach Mora was in a good mood today, sounding extremely upbeat and chipper as he answered questions.</p>
<p>First, injuries:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79656/jordan-james">Jordan James</a> is "closer." That's it.</span></li>
<li><span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks">Eric Kendricks</a> was back at practice today, wearing a red non-contact jersey. He will play on Saturday. Mora is not sure if the bruise is to the kidney itself or the back tissue near the kidney.</span></li>
<li><span>Conor McDermott will not play this Saturday, due to a separated shoulder.</span></li>
<li><span>The reports on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162640/simon-goines">Simon Goines</a> are "good" but no comment if he'll be back on Saturday.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>Looking ahead to playing Oregon, Mora gave his usual peppy speech about the opportunity to play one of the top teams in the country and using it as a chance to get better.</div>
<p> </p>
<p>We also got Mora's assessment of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136013/marcus-mariota">Marcus Mariota</a>, which is basically, he's really good. He says he hasn't seen anyone better than him on film the last two years. He believes he can play at the next level, and he's excited to watch him play, but maybe not so much this Saturday. If a supplemental draft was held today, and if someone could take him, that'd be awesome.</p>
<p>Mariota cannot be rattled, in Mora's opinion, and he concedes that the Oregon offense will make some plays, but UCLA just needs to regroup, not panic, and play the next play. Yes, it will be difficult to stop him, especially with the return of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207607/de-anthony-thomas">De'Anthony Thomas</a>, but Mora says we have a good defense, with some speed and that gives us a fighting chance. He was asked specifically about the defensive backs and how they are being prepped, and Mora said that they don't just throw - they are probably the most balanced offense UCLA has seen all year, and the defense has to be in the right spot, not panic, and move on to the next play.</p>
<p>The questions circled back to the freshmen and the offensive line. Last week UCLA started 7 true freshmen (including the punter) and they kept the game close, with Mora calling it a testament to the way the players compete and to the coaching. The team was not satisfied with the loss but the future looks bright.</p>
<p>(But...... we thought the playcalling by the coaches could be atrocious at times and the team didn't look 100% ready to play against a Stanford team we could have possibly beaten and some of the fans are falling back into the "well we tried some of the time" mentality... let's not see that again this weekend, gentlemen. )</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/D2yGGFP_VaQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Next video we have is from Ryan Kartje, who talked to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136321/jake-brendel">Jake Brendel</a>. There were the usual questions about the freshmen on the offensive line and how they're adapting with it, but the snaps were not addressed until the end (or maybe earlier, it was REALLY hard to hear) and Brendel says he is dealing with it, and he has no explanation for why his snaps are coming in low.</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/22/4867440/spaulding-roundup-looking-ahead-to-oregon-injuries-and-brendel-speaks!x!2013-10-21T21:33:47-07:002013-10-21T21:33:47-07:00Spaulding Roundup: A "Perfect" Time for "Reset"?
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<figcaption>Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>News and notes from UCLA football program as the Bruins get ready for a date with the Ducks.</p> <p>Let's get to the news and notes from Monday as Bruins get ready for the most challenging game week of the season. Bruins are currently 21 point underdogs against the Duckie, who are going to be looking to making a "statement" on national TV to inch up the BCS ranks.</p>
<p>As for us ... I really have no idea what to expect from the team given what we saw on Saturday. But, I will go ahead and share this note of "optimism" from one of our community members, who <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/20/4859544/college-football-top-25-week-9-ucla-drops-slightly-over-rated-at-11-12#192111735">checked out the Ducks in person last weekend</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I was at the Oregon game last night due to my cousin, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161414/gabe-marks">Gabe Marks</a> being a starting receiver for WSU and due to me living in Portland, first things first, Autzen is a great experience, love the facilities and the atmosphere is incredible. <br><br> To the football game, Oregon comes out swinging, we all know that they'll be ready to go come kick off, and in that first half and really the whole game the cougar defense gave them all they could handle and more, they forced 4 fumbles and recovered 2 if I remember correctly, two of them strip sacks by the Cougs dline. <br><br> On more times then I could remember they had Marriotta scrambling to make something happen. The defense was the reason that they had the score within a touchdown in the first half at 13-20. <br><br> Now as far as we go I believe our defense is miles ahead of WSU and we are a lot more talented in our front 7 then they are. We can get to Marriotta, and we can force turnovers. Another thing is I believe if Connor Halladay hadn't thrown 4 picks to Oregon that it's a one or two possession game. Those picks were all on momentum building drives and it took the air out of WSU' s sideline. <br><br> Brett will not make the same mistakes, he's a lot smarter, he's more mobile and has more weapons around him. Final thoughts, I believe we can absolutely beat Oregon, IF we come out prepared, play our game, play with intensity, take care of the ball and force turnovers, WSU silenced the zoo briefly last night, and I think we can do it, <br><br> I believe in our team and I think this lost came at the perfect time to reset, and refocus ourselves on Oregon and the second half of the season. #GoBruins #beatUO</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now's that's the spirit. FWIW a <a href="http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=209288913">reminder from the official site</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>BRUINS VS. DUCKS -</strong> The Bruins lead the series, 39-26.</p>
<p>In 2004, UCLA earned its last win over Oregon in Eugene. The Bruins pulled off the win despite playing without leading rusher Maurice Jones-Drew and the fact that receivers Craig Bragg, Tab Perry and Marcedes Lewis did not record a reception. The Bruins jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead in the contest. After a Bruin field goal early in the second half, Oregon scored the game's next 10 points to get to within 24-20. Quarterback Drew Olson then connected with Junior Taylor on a slant pass which turned into an 83-yard scoring play with 2:57 remaining in the third quarter. Oregon returned a punt for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but UCLA answered with a 50-yard field goal by Justin Medlock to finish the scoring. True freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9448/chris-markey">Chris Markey</a> registered 238 all-purpose yards (131 rushing, 84 receiving) that day for the Bruins.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>2004 was the third year of UCLA football under Chianti (second year under Karl Dorrell) and that's just a good reminder of how far the football program has fallen under the incompetent leadership of this stooge.</p>
<p>Some other notes as we get ready for this long game week. First, here are Brett's comments to the reporters today as he took questions on numbers of issues (<a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/10/21/brett-hundley-talks-about-bruins-offense-o-line/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">via Jack Wang on Inside UCLA</a>):</p>
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<p>I honestly didn't find anything noteworthy from his comments except for the fact that Hundley was his usual gracious and humble self, always sticking up for his team-mates, and vowing to get things right, heading into next week. As I said in the comment thread today, I haven't appreciated a Bruin athlete this much since the days of AA, and I think suffice to say that the entire Bruin Nation is pulling hard for him to get out of his two game funk. Hopefully the coaches will figure out fast how to put him in position to succeed and get most out of his talent.</p>
<p>Apparently <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/24112091/oregon-dc-nick-aliotti-calls-mike-leach-low-class">Nick Aliotti ran his mouth off after Oregon's win over Washington State</a> as he was upset that Mike Leach was making his players go all out (what a concept) till the very end. The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-aliotti-fine-oregon-pac-12-20131021,0,5271463.story?track=rss#axzz2iQ23IgC8">League fined him today for his comments</a> and also apparently for taking some shots at the officials (okay, they are terrible). Aliotti owes the Bruins for December 5, 1998.</p>
<p>Ready for this? <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/10/oregon_football_deanthony_thom_1.html">Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas has been out since September 28</a> since he suffered a sprained ankle against UC Berkeley. He is apparently now <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/10/oregon_football_deanthony_thom_1.html">"ready" for his return and "hungry" to get back on the field</a>. Oh goodie. But, it's not like Oregon has been really missing him all that much. While he was out, sophomore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162589/byron-marshall">Byron Marshall</a> got the start and rushed for more than 100 yards in all four games, including 192 yards and three touchdowns last week against Washington State. Also, true freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207619/thomas-tyner">Thomas Tyner</a> rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Bears and 99 yards and two touchdowns against the Cougs.</p>
<p>Here are also <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1022-ucla-football-20131022,0,3804484.story#axzz2iQ23IgC8">LA Times football notes from Monday</a> with <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1022-ucla-football-20131022,0,3804484.story#axzz2iQ23IgC8">quotes from Jordan Payton</a> about how the offense needs to help the defense out by staying on the field. It'd also help if the OC was actually calling plays that are not predictable and the HC is not settling for punts when the ball is past the opponents 40 yard line.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>GO BRUINS.</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/10/21/4865068/ucla-oregon-bruins-ducks-brett-hundley-deanthony-thomas-notesNestor